Saudi Aid to Gaza Arrives at Rafah Crossing

One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)
One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)
TT

Saudi Aid to Gaza Arrives at Rafah Crossing

One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)
One of the Saudi relief planes as part of the relief air bridge to Gaza (Saudi Embassy in Cairo)

Saudi relief aid to the Palestinian people continued to flow to the Rafah land crossing between the Gaza Strip and Sinai in Egypt, carrying hundreds of tons of medical assistance, food, and shelter materials.

The aid is part of the campaign directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to provide relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Saudi Arabia is also preparing to launch a relief sea bridge in the next few days.

Saudi Ambassador to Egypt Osama Nugali confirmed to the press at the Rafah land crossing that an airlift was implementing the directives of the King and the Crown Prince.

Nugali followed up on the progress of delivering Saudi aid arriving via the air bridge to al-Arish International Airport in Egypt and shipping it to the crossing ahead of transportation into the Strip.

The relief sea bridge will increase the volume of aid flows into Gaza in larger quantities and speed up the mobilization of resources.

The Ambassador explained that the sea bridge would contribute to increasing the volume of humanitarian aid to meet the needs of the people in Gaza, offering thanks to the Egyptian leadership, government, and people for their efforts in facilitating the process.

Total donations collected during the Saudi campaign to aid the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has exceeded $133 million, with over 800,000 donors through the Sahem platform of the King Salman Relief Center (KSRelief).

Also, KSRelief has supported the first phase of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East emergency humanitarian response plan for Gaza with $15 million as part of Riyadh’s keenness to stand with the Palestinian people during the current crisis.

The aid embodied the historic and firm commitment of the Saudi leadership towards the Palestinian people and their cause, reflecting its deep concern for the humanitarian situation and alleviating the suffering of civilians in the enclave.

Political analyst Abdullah al-Assaf believes that the popular campaign is a continuation of the Kingdom’s role of supporting the Palestinians, alleviating the suffering of civilians, and doing everything possible to mitigate the tragic repercussions suffered by the residents of the Strip.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Assaf stated that the Kingdom is considered the most prominent supporter of the Palestinian cause in history at the Arab and international levels, with aid exceeding $5.2 billion during the past few years.

He also noted that Palestine is the third country in development projects implemented by the KSRelief, with 112 projects costing $369 million.

Sheikh Nour al-Din Tawil confirmed that the popular campaign came at a crucial time, noting that the Kingdom seeks, as part of its tireless efforts, to spare the Palestinian people the scourge of conflict and alleviate the burden of suffering caused by the war machine.

Tawil, who is an Imam at the Islamic Cultural Center in Drancy, France, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia has “always devoted most of its capabilities" to supporting the Palestinian cause in various political, economic, and social fields.

He also noted that the Kingdom has always backed the Palestinian people through various crises and tribulations, standing up for their rights in the United Nations and humanitarian organizations.



President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
TT

President of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Nullifies Joint Defense Agreement with UAE

Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi during his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat (Yemeni Presidency)

President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi issued a presidential decree on Tuesday nullifying the joint defense agreement with the United Arab Emirates, based on the Constitution of the Republic of Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the decision on the transfer of power, the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the powers granted to it under the constitution, according to the Yemen News Agency (Saba).

Article Two of the decree mandates that all UAE forces and personnel withdraw from Yemeni territory within 24 hours, according to SPA.

Article Three instructs the Homeland Shield forces to assume control of all military camps in Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.


Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
TT

Yemeni Government Commends Saudi Historic Stance and Its Leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Yemeni government commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic and steadfast stances, highlighting its crucial role in ensuring Yemen's security and stability.

The government acknowledged Saudi Arabia's leadership of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy and its ongoing commitment to protecting civilians, de-escalating tensions, and preventing the eastern governorates from being drawn into conflicts that serve hostile agendas, SPA reported.

In an official statement, the government called on the Southern Transitional Council to withdraw immediately and unconditionally from the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahara. It urged the council to hand over all locations and camps to the Homeland Shield Forces and local authorities in these governorates, to adhere to the terms of reference of the transitional phase, and to cease all military or escalatory actions that threaten local security and undermine de-escalation efforts.

The statement, which was reported by the Yemen News Agency (Saba), expressed the government's full support for the decisions made by President of the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, who is also Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

This includes declaring a state of emergency across Yemen and taking necessary sovereign measures to protect local security, preserve the unity and sovereignty of the state, and maintain its legal status in light of the dangerous developments in Yemen's eastern governorates.

The government stated: "The declaration of a state of emergency is grounded in the constitution and the references of the transitional phase, based on the recommendations of the National Defense Council.

It is a legitimate constitutional measure necessitated by our national duty to confront armed rebellion, protect civil peace, and prevent a descent into chaos that could undermine state institutions."


Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Russian President

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
TT

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Receives Written Message from Russian President

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov and Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received on Tuesday a written message from Russian President Vladimir Putin on bilateral ties between their countries.

Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov delivered the message to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh.

The officials reviewed the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia and discussed the latest regional and international developments, as well as efforts exerted to address them.